Chair and work surface system

ABSTRACT

A flexible table and connected chair system is disclosed. The table has opposite portions including support legs to which first and second chairs are connected. The chairs each share a common leg with the table and each chair rotates independently about the respective common legs between positions where the chairs may face in the same direction and where the chairs may face each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a chair and work surface systemand more particularly to a combination table and two chairs, each chairbeing connected to the table, but also being independently movablerelative to the table.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Typically, conferences are held around large conference tableswith independently movable chairs spaced around the periphery of thetables. More recently conference furniture has taken a more informalapproach in which the large conference table has been disposed of andreplaced by individual chairs and small tables spaced about a conferencespace.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] What is described here is a chair and work surface systemcomprising a work surface, a first chair pivotally connected to a firstportion of the work surface and a second chair pivotally connected to asecond portion of the work surface.

[0006] There are a number of advantages, features and objects achievedwith the present invention which are believed not to be available inearlier related devices. For example, several advantages are that thepresent invention provides a conference arrangement that is convenient,adjustable and comfortable.

[0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention and otherobjects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from aconsideration of the following description of a preferred embodimentread in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures providedherein. The preferred embodiment represents an example of the inventionwhich is described here in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112(first paragraph), but the invention itself is defined by the attachedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0008]FIG. 1 is rear isometric view of a two chair and work surfacesystem.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the two chair and work surfacesystem shown in FIG. 1 illustrating each chair in two positions.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a front isometric view illustrating a frame and supportfor each of the chairs and for the work surface of the system shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

[0011]FIG. 4 is an enlarged downward looking isometric view taken withincurve 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0012]FIG. 4a is an upward looking isometric view of a variation of aleg.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the work surface and frameillustrating the movement capability of the chairs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] While the present invention is open to various modifications andalternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in the variousfigures of the drawing will be described herein in detail. It isunderstood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventionto the particular embodiment, form or example disclosed. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalentstructures and methods, and alternative constructions falling within thespirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims,pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (second paragraph).

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a chairand work surface system 10 including a work surface in the form of a lowlevel table 11, a first chair 12 connected to a first portion 13 of thetable and a second chair 14 connected to a second portion 15 of thetable. Each chair includes a back portion 16, 17 and a seat portion 18,19. The table is supported by two front supports, at the first andsecond portions thereof, in the form of two front legs 20, 22 and a rearcolumn 24 which may house communication cables and electrical wiringbrought up through the floor 26. Instead of the column, the table mayalso be designed to have one or more additional legs at the rear, ifdesired.

[0016] Each chair includes a metal frame or base 30, 32 including ahorizontally disposed front frame member 34, 36 and two side framemembers 40, 42, 44, 46. Each chair also includes support legs includinga left rear leg 50, 52, a right rear leg 54, 56, a left front leg 58, 60and a right front leg 62, 64.

[0017] It is apparent that the right front leg 62 of the left chair 12and the left front leg 60 of the right chair 14 are connected to theleft front leg 20 and right front leg 22, respectively, of the table 11to form common supports or legs for both the respective chair and thetable. Three casters are connected to the non-common legs of the chairssuch as left rear casters 70, 72, right rear casters 74, 76. and leftfront caster 80 and right front caster 82 of the chairs 12 and 14,respectively.

[0018] Each of the chair frames also includes two pairs of upright framemembers 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, FIG. 3 connected to each ofthe side frame members 40, 42, 44, 46, respectively. Also connected toeach pair of upright frame members is a bracket 110, 112, 114, 116,respectively, upon which the seat-back combination of each chair isattached.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in more detail thefirst portion or corner 13 of the table 11 and the common table leg 20and the chair leg 62. This common leg includes a bottom portion 122connected to a middle portion 124 and a top portion 126. The bottom andmiddle portions are fixed to the front frame member 34 and is part ofthe chair 12. A peripheral edge 130 is formed at the top of the middleportion 124. The top portion 126 also includes a peripheral edge 132.Projecting downwardly from the top portion 126 is a pin 134 which inturn is received by an opening 136 in the middle portion 124. Alongitudinal axis 140 of the pin coincides with a longitudinal axis ofthe common leg and forms a line about which the chair 12 pivots orrotates relative to the table 11. Rotational bearing surfaces are theperipheral edges 130, 132 of the middle leg portion and the top legportion respectively. It is understood that the table remains stationarywhile the chairs rotate. Of course, the entire apparatus may be easilymoved if desired by simply separating the table from the chairs.

[0020] A variation of the common leg is to have a pin 134 a, FIG. 4a,extend upwardly from the middle portion 124 a and an opening 136 a inthe top portion 126 a receives the pin.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the chairs may rotate or pivotthrough 90 degrees between a position where the chairs are aligned toface in the same direction (and shown in solid line) and a positionwhere the chairs generally face each other (and shown in broken line).This may be best understood by noticing the changes of location of thecasters between positions drawn in solid line and broken line anddesignated with a number and then the same number followed by a prime.

[0022] It is to be understood that the chairs pivot independently of oneanother and each may take any position relative to the table and to theother chair within their own 90 degree arc of rotation.

[0023] The flexible seating system described may be used to heighten thelevel of informality of a meeting and increase the comfort of meetingattendees especially if the attendees spend long periods in a seatedposition. To help with comfort, the chairs may have arms, be recliningand have cup holders and writing pads (not shown). It is furtherunderstood that the system described here may be used with othersimilarly designed systems or with individual chairs for a largermeeting. Or the system may be used alone in a reception area or as partof an individual's office.

[0024] The above specification describes in detail a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments,modifications and variations will, under both the literal claim languageand the doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of the inventiondefined by the appended claims. For example, a different style of chair,frame or supports are considered equivalent structures and will alsocome within the literal language of the claims. The same is true for adifferent design for the table and its legs. Still other alternativeswill also be equivalent as will many new technologies. There is nodesire or intention here to limit in any way the application of thedoctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of theinvention.

1. A chair and work surface system comprising: a work surface; a firstchair pivotally connected to a first portion of said work surface; and asecond chair pivotally connected to a second portion of said worksurface.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first andsaid second chairs pivot through an arc of about 90 degrees.
 3. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 including: first and second supportsconnected to said work surface; and wherein said work surface and saidfirst chair share said first support; and said work surface and saidsecond chair share said second support.
 4. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 including: four supports connected to said first chair; foursupports connected to said second chair; a first group of three castersconnected to said first chair and a second group of three castersconnected to said second chair.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4including: said three casters of said first group are connected to threeof said four supports connected to said first chair; and said threecasters of said second group are connected to three of said foursupports of said second chair.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein: said first and second chairs move between an alignment wheresaid first and second chairs face in the same direction and an alignmentwhere said first and second chairs are positioned to face each other. 7.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first and second chairsmove between an alignment where said first and second chairs face in thesame direction through an arc of 90 degrees where said chairs may bealigned to face each other.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7including: first and second supports connected to said work surface, andwherein the work surface and said first chair share said first support;and said work surface and said second chair share said second support.9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including: four supports connectedto said first chair; four supports connected to said second chair; and afirst group of three casters connected to said first chair and a secondgroup of three casters connected to said second chair.
 10. An apparatusas claimed in claim 9 including: said three casters of said first groupconnected to three of said four supports connected to said first chair;and said three casters of said second group are connected to three ofsaid four supports of said second chair.
 11. A flexible seating systemcomprising: a table having at least first, second and third supports; afirst chair having four supports where one of said four supports of saidfirst chair is common with said first support of said table; and asecond chair having four supports where one of said four supports ofsaid second chair is common with said second support of said table. 12.An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein: said first and said secondchairs pivot through an arc of about 90 degrees.
 13. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 12 including: casters on the three supports of eachchair which are not in common with the table supports.
 14. An apparatusas claimed in claim 13 wherein: said first and second chairs movebetween an alignment where said first and second chairs face in the samedirection and an alignment where said first and second chairs arepositioned to face each other.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11including: a metal frame for each chair, said frame having a firstmember between a first rear support and a first front support, a secondmember extending between first and second front supports, and a thirdmember parallel to said first member and extending between a second rearsupport and said second first support.